Method of and machine for assembling shoe parts



'Dec 1-5, 1936. R. H. LAWSON 2,063,938

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING SHOE PARTS Original Filed Jan. 20, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1.

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Dec. 15, 1936. H, LAWSON 2,063,938

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING SHOE PARTS Original Filed Jan. 20, 1935 e Sheets-Sheet 5 RM H ,Rwmm,

Dec. 15, 1936. LAW 2,063,938

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING SHOE PARTS Original Filed Jan. 20, 1933 e Sheets-Sheet e Patented Dec. 15 1936 PATENT OFFICE amass:

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOB 1 ASSEMBLING SHOE PARTS Robert H. Lawson, Beverly, Masa, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. L, a corporation of New Jersey Application January 20, 1933, Serial No. 652,101

Renewed December 26, 1935 111 Claims.

The present invention relates to the manufacture of shoes and is illustrated as embodied in a machine for assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last.

In the commercial manufacture of most types of shoes the shoe parts, which usually comprise an upper having a lining stitched thereto and a heel stiffener or counter inserted between the upper and lining at their heel ends, are assembled upon a, last and are next operated upon by a pulling-over machine to stretch the upper lengthwise of the last, and also to impart to the toe-end of the upper the general shape of the toe end of the last. Unless the front ends or wings of the counter are held in position heightwise of the last-during the pulling-over operation there is a tendency for the wings of 'the .counter to sag downwardly. This condition must be corrected before the heel seat lasting operation. The correction of this condition is made particularly difficult by the fact that adhesive has been applied to unite the counter, upper and lining together, and if the adhesive has set with the counter misplaced, it is sometimes necessary to break the bond between the counter and the other shoe parts before the counter can be pulled up into proper position heightwise of the last.

It is an object of the present invention to hold the wings of the counter in their proper position heightwise of the last during the pulling over operation while the upper is drawn'forwardly of the last, and accordingly, the invention, in one aspect,

comprises a method of assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last which consists in holding the extremity of the upper at the heel end of the shoe from movement heightwise of the last, tensioning the shoe parts heightwise of the last at opposite sides of its heel portion, holding the parts so tensioned, and thereafter drawing the upper forwardly of the last, for example in apulling-over machine, while the shoe parts are so held.

As a further aspect of the invention, the shoe parts are held tensioned heightwise thereof at opposite sides of their heel portions by means engaging the margins of the shoe parts at opposite sides of their heel portions while permitting movement of the upper lengthwise of the last in order that the upper, at its heel end, may be drawn, forwardly of the last while such tension is mainta'ned. V y

In the illustrated machine, and in accordance with a feature of the invention, the wings of the counter are held in position under heightwise tension by self-locking grippers carried by a work support which is portable with the last and shoe (01. 12-4) parts. The grippers which engage the margin of the shoe parts, as illustrated in the drawings,

. pers to tension the shoe parts heightwise thereof there is provided in the portable work supporting member, in accordance with a further feature of 10 the invention, means, for example, a presser arm, for pressing against the last bottom forwardly of the grippers.

It is of great importance to the proper performance of the heel seat lasting operation and 15 also to the appearance of the finished shoe that the counter, if it be a flanged counter, be assembled with its flange held firmly against the margin of the heel seat and with its rear end substantially adjacent to the rear end face of the last. It is an object of the present invention to position the counter properly upon the last and to secure the counter in such position. Accordingly, the invention, in another of its aspects, comprises a method of assembling and shaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter, and a lining upon a last which comprises holding the work by the lasting allowance at the heel end thereof, inserting a last into the work, urging the last rearwardly thereof, and pressing the last heightwise thereof against the flange of the counter while the counter is held against movement heightwise of the last. Accordingly, for practicing this method, and as'a further feature of the invention there is provided means for holding the upper by its lasting allowance, means for pressing the last into the upper and means for urging said last rearwardly and upwardly. The upward movement of the last is arrested by a stop arranged to oppose the presl sure of the last against the flange of the counter. 40 The rearward movement of the last is arrested'by means, for example, a back stop, arranged to be engagedby the portion of the heel end of the upper that is adjacent to the heel seat in order to cause the counter to conform to the heightwise curvature of the rear end face of the last.

The arrangement of the shoe parts 'upon the last so that the heel end of the upper is properly positioned with respect to the rear end face of the last is a matter which is usually left to the skill of the assembling machine operator. It is an object of the present invention to provide means for properly locating the heel end of the upper with respect to its last and, accordingly, *1 a feature of the invention contemplates the provision in a machine for assembling an upper upon its last, of an upper supporting member arranged to engage the lasting allowance of the upper at its heel end, and means constructed and arranged to engage the upper in the crease of the back seam in order to locate the back seam in a vertical plane extending lengthwise of the plates the provision in a machine for assembling a shoe upper upon its last, of supporting means constructed and arranged to engage the. lasting allowance of the heel end of the upper. and means for tensioning the heel end of the upper heightwise thereof tostraighten it.

These and other features of the invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

' Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the upper portion of a machine embodying the features of the present invention showing the parts in their initial position with an upper in position to be operated upon, the lower portion of the machine being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the position of the parts after the completion of the operation upon the shoe but before the last with the shoe parts assembled thereon has been released for removal from the machine, parts of the shoe and of the column being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the position of the parts after the last has been released;

Fig. 4 is a detail view in front elevation of the head of the machine with'the work support removed therefrom;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the heel end of a last with the shoe parts held thereto by the portable work support;

Fig. 6 is a detail, partly in section, illustrating one of .the self locking grippers;

Fig. '7 is a detail view in side elevation and partly in section of certain parts in the head of the machine showing their position with relation to the heel end of the upper just before the operator steps on the treadle;

v Fig. 8 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 7 illustrating the insertion of a last into the shoe Parts;

Fig. 9i'sa detail perspective view illustrating the gripper for the heel'end of the upper, and

parts associated therewith;

' parts of its actuating mechanism;

tack driving mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a sectional vie'w taken substantially on theline I4-l4 of Fig. 13; I

Fig. 15 is a perspective detail view illustrating parts of the tack driving mechanism; Fig. 16 is asectional view taken substantially on the line l8lB of Fig. 2; and

- Fig. 17 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating certain parts in the head of the machine in their position prior to the depression of the treadle. 1

Referring to Fig. 1, the invention is embodied in a machine comprising a column 28 and a machine head 22 secured to the top of the column and extending upwardly and then forwardly therefrom. At its forward end the machine head 22 curves downwardly and is slightly offset from its rearward portion, as shown in Fig.- 4. In the a under surface of. said offset portion there is provided a horizontal T-way 24 arranged longitudinally of the machine head for the reception of a work support 28 (Figs. 1 and 5) provided with a slidewhich is T-shaped in cross section to permit it to be supported within the T-way 24. At its forward end the work support is provided with arms 28 extending laterally therefrom in opposite directions. At the outer end of each of the arms 28 there is pivoted a work engaging gripper 30. The arms 28 are preferably so located lengthwise of the upper that the grippers 38 engage the upper, counter, and lining at the 7 forward ends or wings of the counter.

As illustratedv in Fig. 6, each of the grippers 30 comprises a U-shaped member arranged with its open end downward and a swinging gripper arm 38 pivoted to said member. The arm 32 of the gripper member has teeth 34 formed in its imier surface and arranged to prevent the withdrawal of the work from the grippers while permitting the work to be freely inserted between the gripper jaws. The outer arm 36 of the U- shaped gripper member is somewhat longer than the inner arm 32 and is bifurcated at its lower end for the reception of a swinging gripper arm 38 which is pivoted thereto at 40. The gripper arm38 is yieldingly held in operative position, by a torsion spring 42 retained within the bifurcated end of the arm 36, the operative position of the gripper arm 38 being determined by a stoppin 44 mounted in the bifurcated end of the arm 38. The gripper arm 38 extends inwardly with an upward inclination from its pivot 40 and is provided at its inner end with gripping teeth which are constructed to prevent the withdrawal of the work from the gripper while per- -mitting the work to be freely inserted therein.

If desired the under surface 46 of the horizontal portion of the U-shaped gripper member may serve as a gage for determining the positionof the shoe parts relatively-to the work support, The location of the pivot 40 relatively to the gripping surface of the inner arm 32 is such that an upward movement of the shoe parts between the gripper jaws causes the arm 38 to swing about its pivot in a direction such that its gripping surface travels away from the gripping surface of the arm 32 and thus permits the lasting allowance of the shoe parts 'to pass upwardly between the gripping jaws with no substantial interference. Conversely it will be seen that a strain on the shoe parts, after they have been positioned between the gripper jaws, tending to withdraw the parts therefrom causes the gripper arm 38 to swing about its pivot 48 in a direction such that its gripping surface is urged toward the gripping surface of the arm 32, thereby increasing the force of thegripping action. As best shown in Fig. 5, the gripping teeth extend lengthwise of the upper and are coextensive with the width of the grippers, thus-permitting the upper parts to move lengthwise thereof when the grippers are in operative position. The gripper arm 38 is extended outwardly thereof to form a tail piece 48 which may be readily manipulated to releasethe work from the grippers. It 7 aocaass, is unnecessary to manipulate the arm 26 when, the work is inserted into the grippers as the introduction of the work between the gripper jaws causes the gripper arm 36 to swing-sumciently to admit the-work;

The shoe parts. comprising, the counter '6I. upper 56 and lining 63., are supported at their rearward ends upon an upwardly curved pin 50 v openings formed inthe margins of said shoe alinement;

arranged to extend or said openings, in orderl to permit th insertion of the pin 69 therethrough, serves to bring the :that point. In order .and at the "same time tion oi! the flange of the counter to lie flat parts intothe proper relation toeacp other at to permit the weater'por against an insole I66, the openings in-the counter and the lining forthe reception of the pin 60 are formed in tabs 62 and .64 (Fig. ,5)formed in the lasting allowance ofthe counter and lining, respectively, and bent into perpendicular relation to the heel .seat face of the insole. In order further to promote the flattening of the flange of the counter against the margin of the insole the flange of the counter is slashedat points rearward. of the grippers", as'in'dicated at 65 in Fig. 5. v The curved pin 60. is mounted in a combined heel seat plate and presser arm 56 pivoted to a downward extension 66 of the rearward end of the work support 26, said pin extending rearwardlywith an upward curvature from the edge face at the rearward end of the heel seat plate.

In assembling the upper, counter, and lining upon the work support the operator brings the openings at the rearward ends of the parts into alinement and passesthe hook 60 therethrough,

the work support at that timehaving been removed from the machine. With the parts thus supported upon the pin 50 the operator slides the worksupport into the 'T-way 24 in the machine head (Fig. l) and moves the work support rearwardly of the machine until itarrives, at

the position indicated by Fig. '7. In this position the work support 26 is held from return movement by a latch pin 60 which engages within a socket 62 provided at the upper surface of the work support 26 (Fig. 5). The latch pin 60- isslidably mounted in a vertical bore in the offset portion of the'machine head (Fig. 4) and is yieldingly actuated by a bell crank lever -64 (Fig. 1) pivoted to the upper end of a lug 61 extending rearwardly and upwardly fromthe offset portion of the machine head. At its for;-

ward end the horizontal arm of the bell crank:

lever 64 is constructed and arranged to engage within a.- slot66 (Fig. 4) provided in the upper end of the latch pin 60. A spring 68 is connected at one end to the vertical arm of the bell crank lever 64 and at its opposite end to the machine heard whereby the bell crank lever, as seen in Fig. 1, is urged counterclockwise, said movement being limited by an adjustable abutment screw 10 projecting upwardly from the machine head.

The latch pin 60 is lifted to permit the work support to travel rearwardly in the T-way 24 by the engagement of a cam surface I2 formed at the rearward end of the work support 26 with a corresponding cam surface I4 formed in the forward face of the latch pin at its lower end.

The rearward movement of the work support '26 operates, through connections to be described,

to close a gripper upon the back of the shoe parts. Said gripper consists of a blade-like member I6 (Figs. 1 and 9) constructed and arranged to ento accommodate the pin. '69

the gripper gage the back of the upper within thecrease formed at the back seam and a plate-like mem-' ber- 60 constructedand arrangedto engage the lnnersurface of the shoe parts and provided withaconvex gripping surface in order to accommodate it to the curvature of the heel end of the is: as thin as practicablein order that'it may cause no substantial separation of the last and shoe parts (Fig'. 2). shown'in-Fig. 9the gripper blade I6 isprovidedwith a downwardly extending shank 62 and a hub 64;Iandthe gripper plate 69,. as shown in Fig. 9,-is provided with an arm 06 extending upwardly therefrom with a rearward inclinatiom, and at its opposite .side

plate is provided with an upstanding lug. The gripper blade 16 and an arm-90 are arranged between the lug 66 and the ann- 66 of the gripper plate andare pivoted coaxially thereto. The gripper plate 60 is held in its open position, as shown in Fig. 9, by -a"compression spring I00 mounted in a hollow link '92 pivoted to the rearward end .of'th e arm 90. At its forward end the link is-provided with a slot 94 which receives a headed pin 96 secured to the'end of the,

arm 66 (F18. 11); The pin 96 is-yieldingly held last and upper; Preferably the'gripper plate 60 -atgthe forward extremity of the slot 94 by 'a' I plunger .96'arranged to slide in a longltudinaL bore formed inthe link 92 and backed up by the compression spring I00. In it's-open .positionthe gripper assembly is supported upon a stud I02 projecting laterally from the machine frame and arranged to'be engaged by a hook I04 pivotedto the arm 90 (Fig. 10). The gripper blade I6 is supported-in its upstanding position (Fig. 9) by a toothed segment I06 pivoted to the arm 90 and arranged to engage the under surface of a tail piece I08 extending rearwardly from the gripper blade I6. The segment I06 is held in its gripper supporting position by a lever I III pivoted to the arm 90 and provided at its forward end with teeth constructed and arranged to mesh with the-teeth formedin the segment I06. The-gripper blade I6 is released from its gripping position by. actuating the lever H0, as hereinafter described, to swing the segment I06 clockwise, asseen in Fig. 9.. The gripper plate I is brought into gripping position by the rearward movement of the work support 26 to bring the upper into position to be operated upon. As illustrated, the connections between the work support and the gripper mechanism for actuatving the gripper plate comp'rise'a horizontal rod II2 (Figl'2) slidably mounted in a bore provided in a lateral extensionhII4 of the machine head (Fig. 4). At i s rearward end the rod H2 en- Igagesarocker arm II6 pivoted to the machine head and provided at its lower end with a stud "H6 (Fig. 11) arranged to engage the rear edge ing stud I02 the link 92 has swung slightly. be-

yond a position of alinement with the arm 86. and the compression spring I00 has begun to operate upon the arm 86 to swing the gripper plate 80 into, gripping position: After the hook I04 has disengaged the supporting stud I02 the forward end of the gripper assembly .is unsupported but the action of the compression spring I00 to bring the gripper plateu86 zinto. gripping positionis more rapid thanythe, action of gravity upon the gripper assembly and, con-, I frame. and pivoted at the forward end of its horigripper is brought into engagement with the, back of the upper, as shown inFig. Z.;-;The1-gripper is now free to move heightwise-of the last in order, to tension the rear ends of .theupper .andlining., heightwise thereof At its rearward, end the gripper assembly is pivoted to the lower end of a link I26 the upper endof which is pivoted to; the machine frame (Fig. 2). Itwill thus be seen; that the gripper assembly is free to move lengthwise of the last, )The pressure of the gripper upon the work is light enough ,to obviate any substantial penetration or marking of the I upper by the edge of. the gripper blade I6, and the edge of said blade is sufiiciently blunt to permit the shoe parts to movelaterally thereof between sequently, as the link 82-.swings downwardly, the

the gripper menibers in order that, the edge of the gripper blade may be caused to engage within the crease at the back seam of the upper. The upper 59 as illustrated in the drawings, is provided at the back of its heel end with a cap piece .I2I (Fig. 1) which is stitched to the back of the upper near its edge and covers a portion of the back seam; The edge of the cap piece I2I provides an abutment for the gripper blade I6 preventing the gripper..I6, 80 from sliding off the back of the upperas it is depressed totension the heel 'end of the upper heightwise thereof.

After the work support has been moved rearwardly of the machine within its T-way'24, and the latch pin 60 has engaged within the socket 62 in order to hold the work support from return movement, the operator adjusts the heel end of the shoe parts until the gripper blade I6 engages within the crease at the back seam of the upper. The operator then passes the margin of the shoe parts'at opposite sides of'the heel end thereof upwardly between the jaws of the grippers 30.

The operator now grasps the last I8 by its toe end and inserts it into the upper at an inclination thereto (Fig. 8), then swings the rear end of the last upwardly within the upper in order to wipe the rear end face of the last against the rear end of the lining to rub out any wrinkles thatmay have been formed by the insertion of the counter 6I between the upper and lining.

The operator now depresses a treadle in order successively to wind up a tack driving spring .2 I8, to depress the gripper I6, 80, and to depress the last forwardly of the grippers 30in order to tension the upper heightwise thereof. Simultaneously with the above operations the depression of the treadle operates, through mechanism to be described, to-press the last rearwardly and upwardly of the shoe parts. At the conclusion of the aforesaid operations a further depression of the .treadle operates to drive a tack through the back of the shoe parts and into the last at one side of the back seam and then to release the gripper I6, 80, to retract the last pressing meansthereto the .lowerend of a link I26 The link- I28 is surrounded by a compression spring I30 -...aj w

(Fig. 2) the upper end of which supports a block I I32 which is slidably mounted upon the link I20, The block I32 is moved downwardly upon the link I28, in order to compress the spring I30, by a bell crank lever. I34pivoted to the machine zontal arm-to the block I 32. A pin I36 projects laterally from-.theupper'end of the vertical arm of the bell crank lever- I34 and-is receivedwithin a dove-tallednotch I30 in the under surface of an; arm I after said armfihasadvanced from its initial position, as shown in -Fig. 17, to a posi-' tion in which the-notch I38 registers with the pin I36. During this interval the torsion spring 2I8, which actuates 'a-tack driver I86 (Fig. 1), is.

being wound'up vbymechanism'. hereinafter de- I scribed. Thearm -l40 ;is pivoted to a bell crank lever I42 which in turn isrpivoted to the upper end of a plate I 44 secured toa lateral extension- I46 of the machinehead .(Fig'.j'1 2)."A'link-'I40- connects the bell crank. lever I42 to an arm I50 pivoted to a rearward extension of the machine head, and a link I52 connects the-arm I50 to a rocker arm I54 pivoted at-I56 to the machine column. A=link I50. (Fig. 1) connects the rear-- ward end of the rocker arm I54 to the treadle I60.

'It will thus be-seen that the depression of the treadle moves thearm I40 forwardly from its ,position in Fig. 1 'I,-bringing.the notch I30 into spring I 30 ext,ends downwardly and forwardly from the bell crank lever I34 whereby the gripper I6, 00 is urged downwardly with a forward tendency sufficient to cause the actuation of the gripper to tend to hold the back of the shoeparts against the last.

Referring now to the mechanism for depressing the last forwardly of thegrippers 30 in order to tension the upper heightwise thereof, a rotary cam I62 (Fig. 5) is pivoted to the forward end of the work support 26 for engagement with the forward end of a presser arm I64 formed integrally with the heel seat plate 56' and extending forwardly therefrom at the center of the last bottom laterally thereof. The under surface of the presser arm at its forward end is provided with gripping teeth I66 for engagement with the insole I68 tacked to the last bottom. In order to permit the presser arm I64 to swing toward and from the surface of the insole the combined presser arm and heel seat plate is provided at its rearward end with upstanding lugs "0 arranged to receive therebetween the downward extension 58 of the rearward end of the work support 26. The combined heel seat plate and presser arm is pivoted to said downward extension of the work support by a pin I I4 carried by the upstanding lugs I10. A spring plunger II6 (Fig. 11) posi-, tioned rearwardly of the pivot pin "4 in a ver- 'tical bore extending. upwardly from the under A surface of the downward extension of .the work support 26 urges the forward end of the presser arm I64 upwardly against thecam I62 and holds the presser arm above the surface of the insole when the cam I62 is in the position illustrated by Fig.7. .A further depression of the treadle, I60

after the gripper I6, 80 has begun to pull downwardly' upon the rearward end of the shoe parts aoeaoas tion of the machine head At its rearward end the slide I'll has a pin and slot connection with the upper end of the bell, crank lever I42 and at its forward end the'slide Ill has pivoted thereto a roll I60 arranged to engage an arm I62 which projects upwardly with a rearwardinclination from'the cam I62 when the presser arm I 64- is iii its elevated position. A roll in pivotedto the forward end of the oflset portion of the machine head-receives the upward thrust of-the slide I10 incidentalto the actuationof the I62.

As the cam .I62;reache sthe limit of its movement a tack driving mechanism is released to drive a tack through the back of the shoe parts and into the rear end of the last at one side of; 'the back seam of theupper. As illustrated, the

[tack driving mechanism comprises the tack driver I66, of usual construction mounted to slide in a tack driver guide I66 which, in turn, is mounted to slide in a guideway formed in the extension I46 of the machine head (Fig.-

12), the guide being retained withinits guideway by the. plate I44. The tack driver guide is moved from its retracted position, as shown in Fig. 1, to its operative position, as shown. in Fig, 2, by. movement of the rocker arm '6 incidental to the movement of the work support .26 into operative position, the tack driver guide being provided witha groove I90 (Fig. 11) for the reception of the rounded lower end of the rockerarm. In its forward position the forward end of the tack driver guide is spaced from the back of the upper, as shown in Fig. 2, in order to prevent any marking of the upper by the engagement of the tack driver guide therewith. It will be seen that the forward .position of the tack driver guide is accurately defined by the engagement of the latch pin 66 within the socket 62 provided in the work support. The tack to be driven into the back of the heel is inserted manually into a tack receiving block I92 (Figs. 13 and 14) pivoted to the forward endof the tack driver guide I66 and yieldinglyheld upstanding by a torsion spring I94 wound upon a stud I96 (Fig. 14) projecting out wardly from the block I92 through an opening in the wall of the tack driver'guide, one end of said spring being connected to .the wall of the tack driver guide and the other end to a collar I98 made fast to the stud I96. The upstanding position of the tack receiving block I92 (Fig. 13) is determined by the engagement of a beveled surface 200 formed in the forward face of the tack receiving block with a. beveled surface formed in the tack .drlver guide. At its lower end the tack receiving block is cut away to permit it to embrace a circular boss 202 (Fig. 14) in the tack driver guide. about which boss the tack receiving block swings to bring it into alinement with the tack driver. There is provided in the tack receiving block I92 a tack hole 204 which is arranged to receive the tack driver I86 when the block has been swung into alinement with the tack driver, as shown in Fig. 2. A guard 206 (Fig. 13) projecting *upwardly with a forward curvature from the tack driver guide I89 prevents the tack from being ejected from the tack receiving block by centrifugal force as the block is swung into alinement with the tack driver. The tack receiving block I92 is swung into alinement with the tack driver by the forward movement (Fig; l) nections hereinbefore described, and in the course .the hubs of the arms rearwardly and arranged'to engage theback face of aplate 222 formed integrally with, and at right of the tack driver guide to bring it into operative position. As shown in Fig. 1 the forward movement of the tack driver g'uidecauses the forward face of the tack receiving block to engage a, pin

206 projecting laterally from .anarm 2I.0 secured 6 to the frontface of the machine head and swings "the tack receivingblockrea'rwardly to positionits tack passage in'alinement with the driver I06.

The tack driver I66 is released by connections from the treadle .I60 to drive 'a tack through the back of the shoe parts and into the last at one side of the back seam. Preferably the extent of the stroke of the tack driver is such'thatthe 1 tack is driven only partway into the, work in order to permitiit to be removed readily therefrom. The connections fromv thetreadle for releasing and actuating thetack'driver comprise a link-M2 ivoted at one end 'to it slide) within whichrone end of the tack driver is mounted, and

pivoted at its opposite end to the'upper end of an arm 2I6 pivoted coaxially with the-arm I 50 to thev frearward extension of the machine'head. The

arm I50" is actuated by the treadlc through conof it's downwardmovement it operates to ener the'torsion spring 2I9 (Fig; 1) wound about I60and -2I6 and having one. end extended forwardly andgarranged to engage T beneath a pin- 220 projecting laterally from the arm' I 50 and having its opposite. end extended angies to, the forward edge of the arm 2I6.' A rocker arm or trigger 224 is pivoted to the-machine head and arranged to engage the front and 5" upper edge faces of the plate222, in order to hold-the arm 2I6 in the position illustrated in 1 while the torsion spring 2 i8 is being wound up and while. the preliminary operations herei'nbefore described are being performed upon the shoe. parts. The trigger 224 is released by the downward movement of the arm I50 through a link 226 which is pivoted at its upper. end to the '1 rearward endpf the trigger 224 and-which has at its lower ends. pin and slot connection with the forward end of the arm I50, the length of the slot in the link 226 being-such that the release of the trigger 224 is timed to take effect when the work is prepared forthe reception of the tack. The trigger 224 is yieldingly held in operative position'by .a spring 226'connecting the forward .end of the link to the machine'head;

The tack driver I86 is arrested by the engagement of the plate 222 with an abutment plate 229 extending outwardly from the machine head (Fig. 15). Y

A further depression of the treadle, after the actuation of the tack driver, disengages the gripper blade 16 from theback of the upper and permits the gripper assembly to swing downwardly until the gripper plate has been completely disengaged from the last and shoe parts. The downward swinging movement of the gripper assembly is arrested by the engagement of a nut 234 at the upper end of the linkxl28 with the top of the block I32 which is pivoted to the for.-' ward end of the. bell crank lever I34 (Fig. 1) and held from downward movement thereby. The disengagement of the gripper blade I6 fromthe back of the upper is effected by connections from the treadle actuatedarm I50 comprising a link 236 having a pin and slot connection at its lower end with the forward end of the arm I60 (Fig. 15) and pivoted at its upper end to the rearward end of a, rocker arm 238 (Fig. 1) which upon a seat formed in the sleeve 242.

er 256 is pivoted at its upper end to the forward in turn is pivoted to the plate I44 and connected at its forward end, by means of a link 248, to

r the rearward end of the lever I III which actuates the segment I 86 upon which the gripper blade 16 is supported. The actuation of the lever I III by the connections above described causes it to swing in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 1, thereby. turning the segment I06 in a clockwise direction. As the treadle comes to the end of its depression the segment I86 and the gripper blade 16 have been-brought into the position-illustrated in Fig. 3 in which position the gripper blade has dropped away from the back of the upper sufliciently to disengage the gripper 16,80 from the shoe parts. As the compression spring] I88 which urges the gripper assembly downwardly is still under compression, the disengagement-of the gripper 16,, from the shoe' sion of the spring I38 being suilicient to over- 25 come such resistance.

As the treadle comes to the end of its depressi m, a pin 238 projecting laterally from the slide I18 is brought into engagement with the bell crank lever 64; swinging said lever clockwise, as seen in Fig. 1, and disengaging the latch pin 68 from the socket 62 provided in the work support 26. The rocker arm I I6 is then swung counterclockwise, as seen in Fig. 1, by a spring 232 connecting the lower end of the rocker arm to the plate I44 secured to the machine head to eject the work support 26 from the machine.

The depression of the treadle I60, from its beginning up to the point where the tack driver I86 is released, operates simultaneously with operations above described to press the last rearwardly and upwardly with relation to the shoe parts. As illustrated the mechanism for imparting these motions to the last comprises a sleeve 242 (Fig. 2) mounted in'an oversized hole in a forward extension 244 of the machine column. At its lower end the sleeve 242 is pivoted to the upper end of. a toggle arm 246 the lower end of which is pivoted to a toggle arm 248 which in turn is pivoted to the forward end of the treadle actuatedrocker arm I54. The toggle is yieldingly held in straightened condition by an arm 258 which is urged rearwardly of the machine by a spring 252 connected at its. forward end to the arm 258 and at its rearward end to the machine column. The swinging movement of arm 250 by the spring 252 is limited by the engagement of a downward extension 254 of the toggle arm 246 with the front edge face of the toggle arm 248 (Fig. 1). At its upper end the sleeve 242 has mounted therein a plunger 256 which is yieldingly supported upon a compression spring 258 which is supported at its lower end The plungend of a link 251 the rearwardend .of which is pivoted to the plate I44 (Fig. 1). The connection of the plunger 256 with said link operates to hold the plunger from turning movement,-

is pivoted to the rearward end of thearm 266 and a link 264 is pivoted to the forward end of the arm 260 and arranged in parallel relation to the upstanding arm of the bell crank lever,

262. At its upper .end the link 264 is pivoted to the forward end of a horizontal arm 266,.said arm at its rearward end being pivoted to the upper end of the upstanding arm of the bell crank lever 262.- It will thus be seen that the ball crank lever and the link 2'64 operate as a parallel motion mechanism fo'r iinparting a-rearward movement to the arm 266. The bell crank lever is actuated to impart such movement to the arm 266 by connections from the sleeve 242 comprising anarm 268 clamped to the sleeve and extending forwardly therefrom, a link 218 pivoted at its upper end to the forward end of the horizontal arm of the bell crank lever 262 and arranged to slide through a vertical opening in the arm 266, and a compression spring 212. The compression spring 212, which is somewhat heavier than the compression spring 258, surrounds the link 210 and is held between the upper surface of the arm 268 and a shoulder 214 formed in the link 210. The upper surface of the arm 266 has gripping teeth formed therein for engagement with teeth formed in the under surface ofa fixture 216 yieldingly retained within the last pin hole of the last. The fixture 216 comprises a horizontal plate having a last pin 218 projecting upwardly therefrom, said last pin having an open end slot extending downwardly from its upper end for the reception of a hairpin spring 288 (Fig. 16),

the legs of which are bowed outwardly for engagement with the wall of the last pin hole. The spring 286 is supported at its upper end upon a cross pin 282 at the upper end of the last pin 218. At their lower ends the legs of the spring 288' are curved inwardly and cross each other at a point just above a cross pin 284 which is located just abovev the lower extremity of the slot provided in the last pin. At their lower ends each of the legs of the spring 288 has areverse curvature formed therein to permit it partially to embrace the cross pin 284. The cross pin 284 thus limits the spreading of the legs of the spring 288 when the fixture 216 is removed from the last.

The first stage of the depression of the treadle I68 swings the rocker arm I54 clockwise, as seen in Fig. 1, lifting the sleeve 242 and the plunger 256 as a unit, therebyfbringing the gripping teeth formed in the arm 266 into engagement with the teeth formed in the fixture 216. As the depression of the treadle continues the upward movement of the sleeve 242 continues but the plunger 256 remains at rest until the spring 258 has been compressed to such a point that it balances the pressure of the spring 212. During this interval the bell crank lever 262 is actuated by the upward movement of the sleeve 242 to urge the arm 266 rearwardly of the shoe parts and with it the last which has been inserted into the shoe parts, the last having been provided with a fixture 216. After the spring 258 has been compressed to the point where its compression is equal-to that of the spring 212 the plunger 256 will be urged upwardly to press the last upwardly and urge the margin of the lining and the flange of the counter against the under surface of the heel seat plate 56. The rearward movement of the last by the bell crank lever 262 presses the upper extremity of the back of the shoe parts-against a backstop 286. The part of the counter 6| adjacent to the .heel seat is thus brought against the rear end face of the last and caused to conform to the curvature thereof, and it is also brought against the rear edge face of the insole I68, pro vided the insole is properly located upon the last bottom with its rear edge face in alinement with therear end face of the last. By pressing the counter firmly against the edge face of the insole of the shoe parts and into the last in order to maintain the relative position of the last and the shoe parts at their heel ends. As illustrated, the back stop 266 (Fig. 2) consists of a horizontal arm pivoted at its rearward end to the head of a screw 288 projecting downwardly from the under surface of the extension II4 of the machine head. The back stop 286 is supported upon a pin 290. projecting laterally from the machine head. At its forward end the back stop is proation of the combined heel seat plate and presser arm 66 to press the last downwardly into the upper. The back stop 286 being pivoted at its rearward end, its forward end is free to move upwardly with the back of the shoe parts during the depression of the last. It is desirable, however, that the back stop be prevented from sliding upwardly upon the shoe parts and, accordingly, there is provided between the under surface of the extension II4 of the machine head and the upper surface of the back stop a compression spring 294, said spring being held in position by a stud 236 projecting downwardly from the extension II4.

A further depression of the treadle 160 after the actuation of the tack driver brings the toggle 246, 248 into the position illustrated in Fig. 2.

In this position the pivot pin 208 connecting the arms of the toggle has engaged within a curved recess formed in the arm 250, and a further upward movement of the toggle thereafter causes the arm 250 to operate as a trigger to break the toggle and permit the sleeve 242, together with the plunger 256, to drop until it is arrested by the engagement of the arm 268 with the forward extension 244 of the machine column. As the plunger drops, the arm 266 disengages the under surface of the fixture 216 (Fig. 3).

The parts are reset for a repetition of the cycle of operations by the action of a treadle retractingspring 300; the upper end -'of which is connected to the machine column and the lower end of which is connected to the rocker arm I54 and arranged to rock said arm in a counter-clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 3. The downward movement of .the forward end of the rocker arm straightens the toggle 246, 248 and the upward movement of the rearward end of the rocker, arm swings the arm I60 in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 3, bringing a lug 302 (Fig. 15)

formed in the arm I50 into engagement with a lug 304 formed on the arm 2I6 and thereafter swinging the arms I50 and 2I6 as a unit to withdraw the tack driver I86. The tack driver guide I88 having been withdrawn to its initial position by the action'of the rocker-arm H6 in ejecting the work support 26 from the machine, the retraction of the tack driver permits the tack receiving block I92 to be returned to its initial position by the torsion sp n I9 Fi 1 The pward movement of the rearward end of the rocker arm I54 also permits the link 235 to be returned to its initial position by the spring 306, the lower 'end of which is connected to said link and the upper end of which is pivoted to a pin 308 projecting laterally from the plate I 44,.the upward movement of said link by the spring 306 being limited by engagement of the upper edge face of the rocker arm 238 with the pin 306. The action of the spring 306 operates through the rocker arm 238, the link 240, and the lever IIO to swing the segment I06 in a counter-clockwise direction,

bringing a cam face 3I0 (Fig. 9) formed in the forward edge face of the segment into engagement with a cam face 8I2 formed in the under surface of the tail piece I08 of the gripper blade 16 and returning the gripper blade to its initial position, as shown in Fig. 1. The upward movement of the rearward end of the rocker arm I54 permits the trigger-224 to be returned to its initial position, as shown in Fig. 1, by the spring 228. The upward movement of the arm I50 effected by the return movement of the rocker arm I54 moves the link I48 upwardly and swings the bell crank lever I42 in a clockwise direction, returning the slide I18 to its initial position, and cansing the arm I40, which is pivoted to the bell crank lever I42, to swing the bell crank lever I34 clockwise thereof, as seen in Fig. 3, lifting the gripper I6, together with the gripper assembly from their position, as shown in Fig. 3, to their initial position, as shown in Fig. 1. upward movement of the gripper assembly a V- shaped surface formed in an upward extension 3I4 of the arm 90 (Fig. 10) engages the stud I02, the arm 90 coming to rest with the angle of the V-shaped surface in engagement with the stud. A further movement of the bell crank lever I 34, after the arm 90 has come to rest, swings the hollow link 92 upwardly, swinging the gripper plate 80 into its initial position, as seen in Fig. 11, and causing the cross pin I22 in the link 92 to engage the rear edge face of the hook I04, swinging the hook counter-clockwise, as seen in Fig. 10, and bringing it into engagement with the stud I02 in order to support the gripper assembly in its initial position. A continued movement of the bell crank lever I42 by the return of the rocker arm I54 to its initial position causes a pin 3| 6 to engage beneath the arm I40 and disengage said arm from the I34 (Fig. 1).

The work support 26 with the last and shoe parts held thereto may now be removed from the T-way 24 in the head of the machine and passed to the operator who is to perform the next succeeding operation upon the shoe parts. When,

During the pin I36 in the bell crank lever heel seat lasting operation, the work support is to be disengaged from the shoe parts, all that is necessary to effect such a removal of the work support is a manipulation of the gripper arms 36 in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig; 6. The opening of the gripper jaws requires no considerable efiort since their movement, from the start, is outward from the work as well as upward.

While the operation of the machine has been described in detail in connection with the description of the construction and arrangement of the various parts, the following summary of the operation of the machine may be useful. The operator first inserts a flanged counter between heel 'seat plate 56.

an upper and lining to be assembled and shaped upon a last and brings the openings at the rearward ends of the margins of the parts into alinement. The operator then takes the work support 26 (which has been removed from the machine) and passes the curved hook 50 through the openings in the margins of the shoe parts and then slides the work support into the T-way 24 provided therefor in the machine head, bringing the parts into the position shown in Fig. 7 and causing the gripper T6, 80 to engage the back of the shoe parts. The margins of the shoe parts at opposite sides of their heel ends are then introduced between the jaws of the grippers 30. The last 18 is then inserted into the upper, as shown in Fig. 8, and the heel end of the last is moved upwardly against the inner surface of the lining in order to remove from the lining any wrinkles that may have been formed therein by the insertion of the counter between the upper and lining. The operator then steps on the treadle, thereby urging the gripper I6, 86 downwardly in order to tension the heel ends of the shoe parts heightwise thereof and to actuate the combined heel seat plate and presser arm 56 to press the last into the upper in order to tension the upper heightwise thereof at opposite sides of its. heel end. Simultaneously with the two foregoing operations, the sleeve ,2'42 and plunger 256 and their associated mechanism operate to urge the last rearwardly and upwardly of the shoe parts, bringing the shoe parts against the front face of the back stop 286. The upward movement of the last causes the flange of the counter to be engaged and held between the margin of the heel seat face of the last and the A continued depression of the treadle actuates the tack driver I86 to drive a tack through the back of the shoe parts and into the last at one side of the back seat in order to hold the parts in assembled condition upon and a disengagement of the gripper 16, 80 from the back of the shoe parts and then releases the latch pin 60 from the work support 26, thereby permittingthe spring 232 to actuate the rocker arm H6 to eject the work support, together with the last and shoe parts, from the machine.

The retraction of the treadle I60 resets the parts of the machine for a repetition of the cycle of'operations as above described.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. That method of assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last which comprises holding the extremity of the upper at the heel end of the shoe from movement heightwise of the last, tensioning the work heightwise of the last at opposite sidesof its heel portion, holding the work so tensioned, and thereafter drawing the upper forwardly of the last.

2. That method of assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last which comprises holding the extremity of the upper at the heel end of the shoe from movement heightwise of the last, grip ping the margin of the work at opposite sides of its heel portion, imparting relative heightwise movement to the last and upper.at their heel portions in order to tension the upper heightwise of the last, holding the work so tensioned, and thereafter drawing the upper forwardly of the last.

3. That method of assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last which comprises holding the extremity of the upper at the heel end of the shoe from movement heightwise of the last, tensioning the work heightwise of' the last at opposite sides of its heel portion and holding the work so tensioned while the upper is drawn forwardly of the last. 5

4. That method of assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last which comprises holding the extremity of the upper at the heel end of the shoe from movement heightwiseof the last, gripping the margin of the work at opposite sides of the heel portion thereof, imparting relative.

heightwise movement to the last and upper at seam from movement heightwise thereof, tensioning the work heightwise of the last at opposite sides of its heel portion, and thereafter drawing the upper forwardly of the last. f a

' 6. That method of assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last which'comprises holding the heel end of the upper in the region of the back seam from movement heightwise thereof, gripping the margin of the work at opposite sides of the heel end thereof, imparting relative heightwise movement to the last and upper at their heel ends in order to tension the upperheig'htwise of the last, and holding-the upper so tensioned while it is drawn forwardly of the last.

7. That method of assemblingand shaping shoe parts upon a last which comprises engaging the shoe parts in the region of the upper extremity of the back seam, engaging the shoe parts in the region of the lower extremityof the back seam, tensioning the work heightwise thereof in the region of the back seam, tensioning the work heightwise thereof at opposite sides of its heel portion, and holding the work so tensioned while the upper is drawn forwardly of the last.

8. That method-for use inassembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last which consists in engaging the upper at opposite ends of the backseam and pulling the upper heightwise thereof.

9. That method of assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last which comprises tensioning the heel end of the work heightwise thereof", and holding the margin of the work at opposite sides of the heel portion thereof from movement heightwise of the last while permitting movement of the work lengthwise of the last.

10. That method of assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last which comprises tensioning the heel end of the work heightwise thereof, andpositively holding the margin of the work at opposite sides of the heel portion thereof from movement heightwise of the last while permitting movement of the work lengthwise of the last.

11. That method of assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last which comprises tensioning the heel end of the work heightwise thereof, and holding the margin of the work at opposite sides of the heel portion thereof from movement heightwise of the 'last while the last is inserted intothe upper and while the upper is drawn forwardly of the last.

12. That method of assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last which comprises holding the margin of the work at oppositesides of the 2,068,988 heel portion thereof from movement heightwise holding the margin of the work at opposite sides of the heel portion thereof, holding the margin of the work at its rearward extremity, pressing a last into the work, and driving a fastening through the work and into the last at the back of the heel.

14. That method of assembling and shaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter and a lining upon a last which comprises holding the work by the margin at the heel end thereof, inserting a last into the work, and pressing the last heightwise thereof against the flange of the counter while the counter is held against movement heightwise of the last.

15. That method of assembling and shaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter and a lining upon a last which comprises holding the work by the margin at the heel end thereof, inserting a last into the work, urging the last rearwardly thereof, and pressing the last heightwise thereof against the flange'of the counter while the counter is held against movement heightwise of the last.

' 16. That method ofassembling and shaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter and a lining upon a last which comprises holding the work by the margin at the heel end thereof, inserting a last into the work, moving the rear end, of the last heightwise thereof in order to smooth out the heel end of the lining, urging the last rearwardly thereof, and pressing the last heightwise thereof against the flange of the counter while the counter is held against movement heightwise of the last.

17. That method of assembling and shaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter and a lining upon a last which comprises holding the work by the margin at the forward ends of the counter, holding the work by the margin at the rearward end-thereof, tensioning the heel end of the work heightwise thereof, inserting a last into the work, moving the rear end of the last heightwise thereof in order to smooth out the heel end of the lining, urging the last rearwardly thereof, and pressing the last heightwise thereof against the flange of the counter while the counter is held against movement heightwise .of the last.

18. That method of assembling and shaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter and a lining upon a last which comprises holding the work by the margin at the forward ends of the counter, holding the work by the margin at the rearward. end thereof, inserting a last into the work, pressing the last rearwardly thereof, pressing the last heightwise thereof against the flange of the counter while the counterv is held against movement heightwise of the last, and bringing the work against that portion of the back of the .rear end thereof, inserting a last into the work,

urging the last rearwardly thereof, holding the counter against movement heightwise thereof, and pressing the last heightwise thereof in orderto flatten the margin of the lining between the marginal portion of the heel-seat face of the last and the flange of the counter and also, 'by the same movement, to position the counter heightwise ofthe last.

20; That method of assembling and shaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter and a lining upon a last which comprises holding the workby the margin at the forward ends of the counter, holding the work by the margin at the rear end thereof, bringing that portion of the heel end of the counter adjacent to the counter flange against that portion of the heel end of the last adjacent to its heel-seat face, and clamping the flange of the counter against the heelseat face of the last in order to prevent the return of the counter to its initial position.

21. That method of assembling and shaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter, and alining upon a last which comprises holding the work by the margin at points substantially adjacent to the forward ends of the counter, holding the work by the'margin at the rear end thereof, bringing that portion of the heel end of the counter adjacent to the counter flange against that portion of the rear end'face of the last adjacent to its heel-seat face, clamping the flange of the counter against the heel-seat face of the last in order to prevent the return of the counter to its initial position, and holding the flange of the counter pressed against the heel-seat face of the last while a fastening is driven through the heel end of the work and into the rear end face of the last.

22. That method of assembling a shoe upper, a

' counter and a lining upon a last which comprises marking the margins of the upper, counter and lining at their heel ends, bringing said marks into alinement, holding the work by the margin at the forward ends of the counter, holding the work by the margin at the heel end thereof, tensioning the heel end of the work heightwise thereof, and pressing a last into the work.

23. That method of assembling shoe parts upon a last which comprises forming an aperture in the margin of each of the parts at its heel end said apertures being so positioned that when they are brought into alinement the shoe parts, at that point, are properly arranged relatively to each other, holding the work by the margin at opposite sides of the heel portion thereof, holding the work by the margin at its rearward extremity,

and inserting a last into the work.

24. That method for use in assembling an upper and a lining upona last which comprises holding the extremity of the upper at its heel end from movement heightwise thereof, inserting a last into the upper, and moving the last heightwise of the upper in order to upwipe the lining.

'25. That method for use in assembling an upper and a lining upon a last which comprises holding the extremity of the upper at its heel end from movement heightwise thereof, inserting a last into the upper, and moving the lastrearwardly and heightwise of the upper in order to upwipe the lining.

' 26. That method for use in assembling shoe parts, including a lining, upon a last which comprises holding in flxed position the overlasting margin of the shoe parts in the region of the back seam, securing the shoe parts in' the region of the opposite end of the back seam, inserting a last into the shoe, and moving the last rearwardly and heightwise of the shoe in order to upwipe the lining.

27. That method for use in assembling an upper and a lining upon a last which comprises holding the extremity of the upper at its heel end from movement heightwise thereof, inserting a last into the upper, moving'the last rearwardly or the upper, and moving the last heightwise oi the upper to a predetermined limit in order to upwipe the lining.

28. That method for use in assembling an up- 7 per anda lining upon a last which comprises holding the upper-at its heel endfrom movement heightwise thereoLarranging alast relatively "to the upper with its heel end projecting therethrough, and rotating the last in a planeextending lengthwise of the last and heightwise thereof in order to upwipe the lining.

29. In a machine for assembling a shoe upper upon a last, work supporting means constructed and arranged to engage and grip the upper at opposite ends of theback seam.

30. In a machine for assembling a shoe upper upon a last, means constructed and arranged to engage the upper at opposite ends of the back seam in order to support the upper prior to the insertion of a last therein.

' 31. In a machine for assembling a shoe upper upon a last, upper engaging means for supportlasting allowance of the upper in the region of the back seam and to hold'it in fixed position, and

a member constructed and arranged to engage, the upper at the opposite end of the back seam, said member being movable heightwise of the last.

32. In a machine for assembling a shoe upper upon a last, work supporting means comprising a member constructed and arranged to engage the lasting allowance of the upper in the region'of the back seam and to hold it in fixed position, and a member constructed and arranged to engage the upper at the opposite end of the back seam, said member being'movable heightwise of the last.

' 33. A machine for assembling a shoe upper upon its last having, in combination, work supporting means constructed and arranged to engage the margin at the heel end of the work, and means for tensloning the heel end of the work heightwise thereoi.- I

,34. A machine for assembling a shoe upper upon its last having, in combination, a member for engaging the lasting allowance of the upper in the region of the back seam, a gripper for engaging the upper in the region of the opposite end of the back seam, and means for imparting relative movement to the member and the gripper heightwise of the upper in order to tension the heelend of the upper.

35. A machine for assembling a shoe upper upon its last having, in combination, a member for en gaging the lasting allowance of the upper in the region of the back seam, a gripper for engaging the upper in the region of the opposite end of the back seam, and means for moving the gripper heightwise of the upper relatively to the member in order to tension the heel end of the upper.

36. A machine for assembling a shoe upper upon its last having, in combination, a member for engaging the lasting allowance of the upper in the region of the back seam, a gripper for engaging the upper in the region of the pp s te end ing the gripper heightwise of the upper relatively to the member in order to tension the heel end of the upper. I

37. A machine for assembling an upper upon its last having, in combination, operating instrumentalities and a support forthe upper arranged to be removed from the machine with the upper and the last, said support being constructed and arranged to engage the margin of the upper atits heel end.

38. A machine for assembling an upper upon its last having, in combination, operating instrumentalities and a work support constructed and arranged to be removed from the machine with the last and upper, said support being provided with grippers for engaging the margin of the upper at opposite sides of its heel end and being provided also with means for supporting the margin oi the upper at the back of the heel.

39. A machine for assembling an upper upon its last having, in combination, operating instrumentalities and a work support constructed and arranged to be removed from the machine with the last and upper, said support beingprovided with self-locking grippers, for engaging the end.

40. A machine for assembling an upperupon its last having in combination, operating instrumentalities and a work support constructed and arranged to be removed from the machine with the last and upper, said support being provided with self-locking-grippers for engaging the,

margin of the upper at opposite sides of its heel end and being provided also with means forsupporting the margin of the upper at the back of the heel. b

41. In a machine for assembling" an upper upon its last, a support for the upper comprising a pair of self-looking grippers constructed and arranged toengage the margin of the upper at opposite sides of its heel portion, and means for supporting the margin of the upper at the back of the heel.

42. In a machine for assembling an.upper, a counter, and a lining upon a last, a work support constructed and arranged to be removed from the machine with the work, said work support comprising a member constructed and arranged to be slidably mounted in the machine frame, a pin upon which the rearward endsof the shoe parts are supported, and a pair of self-locking grippers arranged to engage the-shoe parts at the forward ends of the counter. g

43. In a machine for assembling an upper upon itslast, a work support constructed and arranged to be removed from the machine with the last and upper, said support being provided with grippers for engaging the margin of the upper, said grippers being so constructed that a pull on the work tending to withdraw the work from the grippers urges the gripping surfaces toward each other, thereby increasing the gripping action.

44. In a machine for operating upon shoepart a gripper having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, said movable jaw being pivoted at a point which is spaced from the gripping surfaces of said jaws, heightwise of the work, in the direction of a pull on the work tending to withdraw the work from the gripper.

45. In a machine for assembling an upper upon its last, a gripper arranged to engage the margin of the upper, said gripper comprising a stationary gripping member and a movable gripping'member arranged to be moved away from the station- 7 ary member. by the introduction of the work therebetween' and arranged to be moved toward the stationary member by a pull on the work tending to withdraw the work from the gripper.

46. In a machine for assembling an upper upon its last, a gripper arranged to engage the margin of the upper, said gripper comprising a U-shaped member one arm of which is longer than the other, the shorter arm having work gripping teeth formed on its inner face, and a movable member mounted at the end of the longer arm of the U-shaped member for swinging movement in the plane of said U-shaped member, said movable member being provided with work gripping teeth arranged to face the work gripping teeth formed in the U-shaped member.

47. In a machine for assembling an upper upon its last, a gripper arranged to engage the margin of the upper, said gripper comprising a U-shaped member one arm of which is longer than the other, the short arm having work gripping teeth formed on its inner face, and a movable member mounted at the end of the longer arm of the U- shaped member for swinging movement in the plane of said U-shaped member, said movable member being provided with work gripping teeth arranged to face the work gripping teeth formed in the U-shaped member, said movable member having a tail piece formed integrally therewith whereby said movable member may conveniently be manipulated to open the gripper in order to release the upper therefrom.

48. In a machine for assembling an upper upon its last, a work support comprising a slide constructed and arranged to be removed from the machine with the last and upper, and a plurality of grippers for engaging the margin of the upper, each of said grippers comprising a U- shaped member arranged for swinging movement relatively to the slide, said Ushaped member having one arm which is longer than the other, the short arm having work gripping teeth formed on its inner face, and a movable member mounted at the end of the longer arm of the U-shaped member for swinging movement in the plane of said member, said movable member being provided with work gripping teeth arranged to face the work gripping teeth formed in the U-shaped member.

49. In a machine for assembling an upper upon its last, a work support constructed and arranged to be removad from the machine with the last and upper, and a plurality of upper engaging grippers carried by the support.

50. In a machine for assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last, a work support constructed and arranged to be removed from the machine with the work, said work support comprising grippers arranged to engage the margin of the work at opposite sides of the heel portion thereof, a supporting member for engaging the margin of the work at the back of the heel, and a presser for pressing against the last bottom forwardly of the grippers.

51. In a machine for assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last, a work support constructed and arranged to be removed from the machine with the work, said work support comprising grippers arranged to engage the margin of the work at opposite sides of the heel portion thereof, a supporting member for engaging the margin of the work at the back of the heel, a presser for pressing against the last bottom forwardly of the grippers, and a cam for actuating the presser.

52. In a machine for assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last, a work support constructmeans for holding the last from forward movement relatively to the shoe parts.

53. In a machine for assembling and shaping shoe parts upon a last, a work support constructed and arranged to be removed from the machine with the work, said work support comprising selflocking grippers arranged to engage the margin of the work at opposite sides of the heel portion thereof, a supporting pin for engaging the margin of the work at the back of, the heel, and a presser for pressing against the last bottom forwardly of the grippers, said presser being provided with teeth for holding the last from forward movement relatively to the shoe parts.

54. In a machine for,assembling' and shaping an upper, a flanged counter and a lining upon a last, a work support constructed and arranged to be removed from the machine with the work, said work support comprising grippers for engaging the margin of the work at opposite sides of the heel end thereof, a work supporting member for engaging-the margin of the work at the back of the heel, a heel-seat plate having the general outline oi the periphery of the heel-seat face of the last, a presser for pressing against the last bottom forwardly of the grippers, and means for actuating the presser.

55. In a machine for assembling and shaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter, and a lining upon a last, a clamp for holding the shoe parts to the last constructed and arranged to be removed fromthe machine with the last and the shoe parts, said clamp comprising a pair of selflocking grippers for engaging the margins of the shoe parts at the forward ends of the counter, a pin for engaging the margin of the shoe parts at the back of their heel ends, a heelseat plate arranged to engage the flange of the counter, a presser formed integrally with the heel-seat plate and arranged to extend forwardly of the self-locking grippers, and means for urging said presser against the last bottom in order to tension the shoe parts heightwise of the last.

56. In a machine for assembling shoe parts upon a last, a support for theshoe parts constructed and arranged to be removed from the machine with the work, a machine head provided with a guideway for the work support,

and means for ejecting the work support from structed and arranged to 'be removed from the machine with the work, a machine head provided with a guideway for the work support, a latch for determining the operative position of the work support and maintaining the work 7 support in operative position, and means for ejecting the work support from the machine.

59. A machine for assembling and shaping an upper upon its last having, in combination, means for holding the upper by its margin, and means for urging the last lengthwise and heightwise of the upper. V 60. A machine for assembling and shaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter and a lining upon a last having, in combination, a support for the margin at the heel end of theshoe parts, means for pressing the last against the flange of the counter, and means arranged to oppose the pressure of the last 'against the flange of the counter. a

61. A machine for assembling andshaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter and a lining upon a last having, in combination, a support for the margin at the heel end of the shoe parts, means for pressing the last against the flange oi the counter, and a stop arranged to oppose the pressure of the last against the flange ot-the counter.

62. A machine for assembling an upper upon a last having, in combination, means for holding the upper at its heel and from movement heightwise thereof, means for moving the heel end of the last heightwise of the upper, and a stop for arresting said movement of the last.

. 63. A machine for assembling an upper upon a last having, in combination, means for holding the upper at its heel end from movement heightwise thereof, means for moving the heel end of the last heightwise of the upper, and a stop movable heightwise oi the upper for arresting said movement oi'the last. v

64. A machine for assembling and shaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter and a lining upon a last having, in combination, a support for the margin at the heel end of the shoe part, means for pressing the last against the flange oi the counter, and a stop having the outline of the heel-seat face of the last and arranged to oppose the pressure of the last against the flange of the counter.

65. A machine for assembling and'shaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter and a lining'upon a last having, in combination, a support for the margin at the heel end of the shoe parts, means for pressing the last against the flange of the counter, a stop arranged to oppose the pressure of the last against the flange of the counter, and means for urging the last rearwardly oi the shoe parts.

66. A machine for assembling and shaping a" shoe upper, a flanged counter and a lining upon a last having, in combination, a support for the margin of the heel end of the shoe parts,'-rneans for pressing the last against the flange oi the counter, and a stop constructed and arranged to engage the flange of the counter in order to ppose the pressure of the last against said flange.

67. In a machine for assembling an upper upon its last, a gripper for engaging the upper in the region of the end of the back seam opposite the lasting allowance, and means for pressing the last against ,the flange of the counter while the upper is held by the gripper.

68. In a machine for assembling an upper upon its last, a gripper for engaging the upper in the region of the end of the back seam opposite the lasting allowance, a stop constructed and arranged to engage the flange of the counter,/ and means for pressing the last against the flange oi the counter and thereby pressing'the counter against said stop.

1 the last and then simultaneously rearwardly of the last.

69. A machine for assembling and shaping a shoe upper, a flanged counter and a lining upon a last having, in combination; means for urging the last rearwardly of the shoe parts, and means arranged to be engaged by that portion of theheel end 01' the upper that is adjacent to the heel-seat in order to arrest the rearward movement of the last and also to causethe counter to conform to the heightwise curvature of th rear endiace of the last.

70. A machine for assembling and shaping a a shoe upper, a flanged counter and a lining upon a last having, in combination, means for urging the last rearwardly of the shoe parts, a back stop arranged to be engaged by that portion of the heel end of the upper that is adjacent to the heel-seat in order to arrest the rearward move-- 1 ment of the last and also to cause the counter to conform to the heightwise curvature of the rear end face of the last, and meansior clamping the flange of the counter in order to hold the counter in said position.

'71. A'machine for assembling and shaping an' i work support for holding the upper by its margin, a presser for pressing the last into the upper, and a presser for urging the last rearwardly and upwardly.

73. A machine for assembling and shaping an upper upon its last having, in combination, a portable work support for holding the upper by its margin, a presser for pressing the last into the upper, and a presser for urging the last rearwardly and upwardly.

'74. A machine for assembling and shaping an upper upon its last having, in combination, means for holding the upper by its margin, means for pressing the last into the upper comprising a flxture constructed and arranged to be retained within the last pin hole provided in the last, a member arranged to engage said fixture, and means for urging said member rearwardly and upwardly of the last.

75. A machine for assembling and shaping an upper upon its last having, in combination, means ior holding an upper by its margin, means for pressing the last into the upper comprising 'a fixture constructed and arranged to be retained within the last pin hole provided in the last, a member arranged for engagement with said fixture, interengaging gripping surfaces formed in said fixture and said member, and means for urging said member rearwardly and upwardly of the last.

76.' A machine for assembling and shapingan upper upon its last having, in combination, means for holding an upper by its margin, means for'pressing the last into the upper comprising 'a fixture constructed and arranged to be yieldingly retained within the last pin hole provided in the last, a member arranged for engagement.

with said fixture, interengaging gripping surfaces formed in said-fixture and said member, and a presser for urging said member rearwardly of upwardly and 77. A machine for assembling and shaping an upper upon its last having, in combination, means for holding the upper by its margin, means for pressing the last into the upper comsaid fixture, interengaging gripping surfaces formed in said fixture and said member, a presser for urging said member rearwardly and upward- 1y of the last, means for actuating said'presser,

' a toggle connecting -said actuating means and said presser, and means for automatically breaking said toggle in order to disengage said member from the fixture. L

78. A machine for assemblirm and shaping an upper upon its last in combination, meansior holding theupperby'itsmargin,

meansiorpressingthelastintotbeuppercom-1 prislngafixtureconstructedandarrangedtobe' retained within the lastpln hole provided in the last, a member arranged for engagement with said fixture, interensasins slipping suriaces' formed in said said member, a presser for urging said member .rearwardly and upwardly or the last, means for actuating said presser, a toggle connecting said actuating means and said presser; a trigger for automatically breaking said toggle in order to disengage the presser from the fixture, and parallel motion mechanism on which said member is Supported.

79. A machine for assembling and shaping an upper, upon its last having. in combination,

means for supporting the upper 'by its margin, means for pressing the last into the upper comprising a fixture yieldingly retained within the last pin hole of the last, a member arranged to engage saidfixture and a presserfor pressing,

said member rearwardly and upwardly of the last, said presser comprising a vertically movable sleeve arranged heightwise of the last, a plunger yieldingly supported therein, parallel motion mechanism including a'bell crank lever connecting the plunger and the fixture actuating member, and connections between the sleeve and the bell crank lever.

80. A machine for assembling and shaping an upper upon its last having, in combination, means for supporting the upper by its means for pressing the last into the upper comprising a fixture .yieldingly retained within the last pin hole or the last, a member arranged to engage said fixture and a presser for pressing said member upwardly and rearwardly' of the last, said presser comprising a vertically movable sleeve arranged heightwise of the last, a compression spring contained within said sleeve and seated at its lower end, a plunger slidably mounted in said sleeve and supported by said spring, a bell crank lever carried by said plunger and pivoted at the end of its vertical arm to the fixture actuating member, and connections between the horizontal arm of the bell crank lever and the vertically movable sleeve including a compression spring heavier than the plunger sup- .porting spring.

81. A machine for assembling an upper upon its last having, incombination, an upper supporting member arranged to engage the margin of the upper at its heel end, and means constructed and arranged-to engage the upper in the crease of the back seam in order to locate the back scam in a vertical plane extending lengthwise of the upper. 82. A machine for assembling an upper upo its-last having, in combination, an upper supporting member arranged to engage the margin parted to the work support to .upperinthe creaseoithebackseaminorder to locate the back seamdn a-vertical plane extending lengthwise oi the upper.

83.'A machine for assembling and shaping an upper upon its last having, in combination, a supsliding the support into operative positionin its guideway for causing said Quintin-8 8 891316 upper. Y

. 84. A machine for assembling and haping upper upon its last having, in combination, a support constructed and arranged .to hold the heel end of the upper by its margin, means for tensioning the upper at itsheel endheightwise oirthe last including a which consists of a member arranged to engage the upper in the crease of the back seam, and an opposing member arranged to be actuated by a movement imsurface of the heel end of the upper.

85. A machine for assembling and shaping an engagethe inner upper upon its last having, in combination, a a

support constructed and arranged to "hold the heel'end oi the upper by its margin, means for tensioning the upper at its heel endhelghtwise oi the last including a clamp which consists of .a member arranged to engage the upper in the crease of the backseam, an opposingmember arranged to be actuated 'bya movement imparted to the work support to engage the inner surface of the heel end of the uppen andva compression spring arranged to hold-said opposing member in its clamped position.

as. A machine for assembling and shapin an upper upon its last having, in combination, a

supportconstructed and arranged toh'old the heelend of the upper by its margin, means for tensioning theupper atits heel end heightwise of the last comprising a clamp-which consists of a member arranged to engage the upper in the crease of the back seam, an'opposing member arranged to be actuatedby amovement imparted to the work support to engage the inner suriace oi the heel end of the upper, and means for actuating said clamp to tensiontheheel end. 01' the upper heightwise thereof;

87. A machine for assembling and shaping an upper upon its last having, in combination, a

support constructed and arranged to hold the heel end of the upper by its margin, means for tensioning the upper at its heel end heightwise of the last comprising a clamp which consists of a member arranged to engage the upper in the crease of the-back seam, and an opposing member arranged to be actuated by'a movement imparted to the work support to engage the inner surface 0! the heel end oi the upper, a driver for inserting a fastening through the upper and into the last at one side of the back'seam, and means,

for releasing the clamp from the upper.

88. In a machine for assembling and shaping an upper upon its last, a support for the upper arranged to engage the upper margin at its rearward end, a clamp arranged to en e the heel end of the upper at that end of the back seam opposite to said support, said clamp comprising aclamping blade arranged to engage the upper in the crease of the back seam, means for supporting said blade in clamping position, a clamping member arranged to engage the inner surface of the upper, a treadle, and connections from asupport for retaining saidblade in clamping position, a clamping plate arranged to engage the innersurface of the upper, and means for releasing said blade supporting means in order to permit disengagement of the clamp from the upper.

90. In a machine for assembling shoe parts upon a last, awork support co'nstru'cted and are;

ranged to hold the upper by its margin,- a ma chine head provided with a guideway for the receptiona of the work support, a tack driver for driving atack through the upper and. into the rearnendsfa ce; of the last, a tack driver guide, andtmeans-vactuated by sliding the work support 'intd operative position in its 'guideway bring the guide intooperative position. b

51914-1111 a machine' ior assembling shoe parts upontaz'last; 'a work support constructed and ar-' ranged to hold the upper by its margin, a machinehead provided with a guideway for the reception of the work support, a tack driver for driving a tack through the upper and into the rear end face of the last,a tack driver guide, and lever and link connections between the work support and the guide whereby the sliding movement imparted to' the work support to bring it into operative-position brings the 'driver guide into operative position. 92. In a machine for assembling 'shoe parts upon a last, a work supportconstructed and arranged to hold the upper by its margin, a niachine head provided with a guideway for the reception of the work support, a tack driver for driving a tack through the rear end of the upper and into the rear end'face of the last, a tack driver guide, a normally upstanding tack receiving block carried by the guide, and means actuated by a sliding movement imparted to the work support to bring the guide nto operative position and to swing the tack receiving block in order to bring the tack into position to be driven.

93. In a machine for assembling an upper upon its last, means for driving a tack substantially horizontally through the upper and into the last at one side of the back seam comprising a tack driver, a guide therefor, a tack receiving block carried by the guide and normally maintained upstanding, and meansvfor actuating the tack receiving block in order to bring the tack into alinement with the tack driver.

94. In a machine for assembling an upper upon its last, means for supporting the rearward end of the upper by its margin, a gripper. for engaging the upper in the crease of the back seam, and means for imparting relative movement to the support and the gripper heightwise 01' the upper in order to tension the heel end of the upper. I a

95. In a machine for assembling an upper upon its last, a support for engaging the lasting allowan e of the upper, a ipper for engaging the upper n the region oi. the end or the back seam opposite the lasting allowance, and means for imparting relative movement to the support and ing the rearward end of the upper within the. back seam, and means for depressing the gripper in order to tension the heel end of the upper. 97. -In amachine for assembling an upperupon its last, means for holding the rearward end of the upper by its margin, a gripper ifor ent gaging the rearward end of the upper within the back seam, a support for the gripper, and

treadle actuated means for imparting a swing- 15 ing movement to said support whereby: the gripper is depressed in order to tension the heel end of the upper heig'htwise thereof. 2

98. In a machine for assembling an upper upon the upper by its margin, a gripper forie'ng'agingz wise thereof. v I

99. Ina machine for assembling an upper upon.

its last, means for holding the rearward end. or the upper by its margin, a gripper for engaging the rearward end of the upper within the back,

seam, an arm for carrying the gripper arranged for movement both lengthwise and heightwisej of the last, a spring carried by said arm, and" means for energizing, said spring whereby the gripper pulls on the heel end of the upper to ten sion it heightwise thereof;

'100. Inga machine for assembling an upper I upon its last, means for holding the rearward end of the upper by its margin, a gripper for engaging the rearward end of the upper at the back seam, an arm for carrying the gripper, a spring carried by the arm, means for energizing said spring whereby the gripper pulls on the heel end of the upper to tension it heightwi'se thereof, means for releasing the gripper, means for moving the upper from operative position, means for returning the gripper to its initial position, and automatically actuated means for retaining the gripper in said position.

101. In a machine for assembling an upper upon its last, means for holding the rearward end of the upper by its margin, a gripper for engaging the rearward end of the upper at the back seam, an arm for carrying the gripper, a spring carried by the arm, means for energizing said spring in order to actuate said arm to tension the heel end of the upper heightwise thereof, a trea-. die, lever and link connections between the treadle and said'arm for returning the gripper to its initial position, a retaining member for holding the gripper in its initial position, and means actuated by the return movement of the gripper to bring said retaining member into operative position.

102. In a machine for assembling an upper upon its last, means for holding the rearward end of the upper by its margin, and means co-operating with said supporting means to tension the upper at its heel end comprising a gripper consisting of a member constructed and arranged to engage the upper within the crease of the back seam and a curved plate arranged to engage the inner surface of the upper, a treadle, connections from the treadle for releasing the gripper. treadle actuated means for moving the upper from operative position, lever and link connections from 

